Where Is The Battery On A Motorcycle?
In this article titled “Where is the battery on a motorcycle?” we will take you through where the battery is located on a motorcycle, how to remove and reinstall the battery as well as show you how you can perform basic motorcycle battery maintenance.
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The motorcycle battery location
We will answer the easy question first of “Where is the battery on a motorcycle?”. On almost all motorcycles the battery is located under the rider’s seat / saddle.
To gain access to the motorcycle battery you will most likely need to first remove the saddle. A key lock is often located somewhere around the saddle. Once you turn the key the saddle will release and you will see it pop up slightly.
The saddle can then be pulled upwards and you should then be able to see the motorcycle battery located inside.
Battery location under the seat
Removing a motorcycle battery
Be careful that there are no hazards, flammable liquids or flames around your location before commencing.
Ensure that the ignition is switched off. It is likely that this is the case as there is a good chance that you would have already taken the key out in order to unlock and release the saddle.
With the saddle removed in most cases there will be rubber straps that then need to be unclipped. Some motorcycles may also have clips that need to be released.
Unscrew/unbolt the negative terminal and then remove the cable, followed by the positive terminal. The battery should then be free to be removed from the motorcycle.
Basic motorcycle battery maintenance
While you have the motorcycle battery removed from the bike it is an excellent opportunity to perform some basic maintenance.
- Check for any damage – Look for any cracks or leaks which may indicate a replacement is required.
- Top up with distilled water – If this is not a sealed battery then check the fluid levels and top up to recommended levels using distilled water.
- Clean terminals – Clean the battery terminals with a wire brush and wipe any dirt and grime off the battery.
- Charge the battery is required.
Charging a motorcycle battery
If you need to charge a motorcycle battery then ensure that you read the instructions that came with your battery charger, as charging times are different depending on the type of charger.
It may also be worth investigating the purchase of a battery tender / battery saver that connects to your motorcycle all year round when you are not riding. This will ensure that your battery remains in optimal condition.
Battery tender / battery saver
Reinstalling the battery
Place the battery back into the motorcycle and then install and fasten the positive terminal, followed by the negative terminal. Finally you will need to replace the saddle. There are a few tasks that you should complete at this point:
- Attempt to start the motorcycle to confirm that your battery is now working. There is nothing worse than forgetting to perform a test and then having a flat battery the next time that you want to go out for a ride.
- If your motorcycle is fitted with a clock on the dash you may need to now set the time again, as the removal of the battery may have reset the time.
- Your trip meter may also have reset, so it is important to fill up with fuel as soon as possible so that you know exactly how many miles of riding you have left before you run out of gas.
Summary
You should now have a good understanding of how to locate the motorcycle battery, remove and reinstall the battery as well as know the basic maintenance tasks that should be completed when you perform a removal and replacement. Now get out there and impress your friends when they next ask you “Where is the battery on a motorcycle?”.
Do you have any motorcycle battery stories, maybe your motorcycle battery died at a very inconvenient time? Tell us in the comments section below.
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